Each year when Saving Country Music sits down to compile the best songs, it’s done so with a solemn reverence and understanding that the idea embedded in a song has the power to change a life, and change the world. There are many songs out there that are a joy to listen to, but a Song of the Year must say something that can evoke shivers, and do so in a way nobody else has done before.

Parker Milsap had an excellent song this year called “Truck Stop Gospel,” and Jim Lauderdale‘s “I Lost You” pound for pound may be the most enjoyable song released all year. Willie Watson had numerous songs like “Mexican Cowboy” and “Keep It Clean” that while not originals, had the energy and approach of ones. There were epics like Joseph Huber‘s “Wanchese & Manteo,” or great performances like The Secret Sisters‘ “The Lonely Island.” But the nine songs below stood out from the rest in Saving Country Music’s humble opinion.

Audience participation is strongly encouraged, and will influence the outcome. Leave your opinions, write-in candidates, or other observations below in the comments section. This is not simply an up and down vote though. I make the final decision, so it is your job to convince me why the album you feel deserves to win is the right pick. The winner will be chosen in about a month.

Don Williams “I’ll Be Here In The Morning” from Reflections

Townes Van Zandt and Don Williams team up to deliver one of the most disarming performances of 2014, taking a timeless composition, and bringing it to life again through an immortal voice. The warmth this performance coveys is astounding, and as can be seen in the video, it was recorded live. Great song from a great album. (read review)

Lydia Loveless – “Everything’s Gone” – from Somewhere Else

“Everything’s Gone” is Lydia’s crowning achievement thus far in her career, showing remarkable insight, and delivering a vocal performance that fills as much emotion as humanly possible into the vessel of a story any more and it would fall apart under its own weight.

“Lord now I’m sick of seeing the fear in my family’s eyes. I need to find the man who put it there and set his life on fire.”

Ray Benson & Willie Nelson – “It Ain’t You” – from A Little Piece

Originally written by Waylon Jennings with Gary Nicholson, “It Ain’t You” was never recorded, and was relatively unknown except to a select few for many years. When Asleep At The Wheel frontman Ray Benson was looking for material to release on his first solo album in a decade, the song was suggested to him by Sam “Lightnin’” Seifert who co-produced the effort with Lloyd Maines.

What the forces that would sway popular American music to only focus on youth fail to regard is where simply the tone of a voice and the visage of a legendary performer can evoke such a reverence and place such immeasurable weight of an entire remarkable career behind it that an immediate elevation of whatever music being performing occurs in a measure that could never be challenged by the simple exuberance of youth. “It Ain’t You” is exquisitely written, and makes one wonder how this song went unheard for so long. (read full review)

Tami Neilson – “Cry Over You” – from Dynamite!

It is said often that there’s no more standard songs being released that will withstand the test of time. Well Tami Neilson just released one, and punctuated it with a timeless vocal performance.

Sturgill Simpson “Turtles All The Way Down” from Metamodern Sounds

A polarizing song from its seeming questioning of faith and drug laws, “Turtles All The Way Down” speaks to the very core of what the Sturgill Simpson experience is all about: a forward-thinking, challenging approach to enhancing the senses by marking a crossroads between traditional country and a progressive approach.

Leon Virgil Bowers “Streets of Aberdeen” from LV

Leon Virgil Bowers (formerly of Hellbound Glory) continues to be America’s most undervalued songwriter, and someday the rest of the world is going to wake up to that fact. While Virgil is known most for his strong wit, weaving moments in songs that touch your heart and funny bone at the same time, this exploration of more in-depth storytelling by Leroy was a big success. And only appropriate that the song and video was cut in Aberdeen, in a building with ties to the story. (read more)

Hurray for the Riff Raff – “The Body Electric” -from Small Town Heroes

The legacy of the murder ballad is one of the very building blocks of country, bluegrass, and folk music, and never before has an artist taken that primordial idea and conveyed so much while saying very little. It awakens the defiance in the female condition, as an array of thoughts flow through the listener.

First Aid Kit – “Waitress Song” – from Stay Gold

First Aid Kit’s Stay Gold on any other year might be the album everyone is talking about, and in certain segments of the folk and Americana world, it still is. No album can top it in 2014 when it comes to harmonies and melody building, and it’s hard to pinpoint just one song where this is evidenced the best. But even amongst the towering compositions of the album like “My Silver Lining” and “Cedar Lane,” “The Waitress Song” is the one I kept coming back to. A strange song from the usually serious and regal Söderberg sisters, it starts off playful and silly with it’s fluttering “girls just want to have fun” line, but reveals later a lot of life truths and deep perspective swirling around the idea of walking away from ones self and starting over.

“It’s a dark, twisted road we are on. And we all have to walk it alone.”

Matt Woods “Liberty Bell” from Brushy Mountain

The question going into Matt Woods’ new album With Love From Brushy Mountain was if he could he match the magic he evoked in his song “Deadman’s Blues” that went on to win him Saving Country Music’s Song of the Year in 2013. The answer turned out to be “yes,” and the best evidence might be this soul-wrenching song that matches “Deadman’s Blues” punch for punch.

There is a lot of great songs on this list…think i got to go with Ray Benson or Don Williams. The song for me that wasn’t on the list that I thought was really great was Joseph Huber’s Wanchese and Manteo.

Wanchese and Manteo is just outstanding. Glad to see it at least got mentioned in the article. For what made the list I’d say Streets of Aberdeen should win if not the Loveless tune. I don’t care all that much for Turtles… The 3 songs I just mentioned I have been playing excessively for most of the year and they never get old to me. Gonna have to check out the rest of these songs listed a little closer.

I’d be inclined to give this to Sturgill (with Lydia as a close second), but this is a year that gave us ‘Mean Old Woman’ and ‘Painted Blue’ by Sundy Best, ‘Daylight & Dark’ and ‘Whiskey & You’ by Jason Eady, ‘Here On Earth’ by Dierks Bentley, and my current frontrunner for country song of the year, ‘She Don’t Love You’ by Eric Paslay.

But of your choices… hmm, ‘Waitress Song’ over ‘Stay Gold’, and ‘The Body Electric’ over ‘Small Town Heroes’? To each their own, but that did surprise me.

I admit “Waitress Song” is a strange pick, but I think that song has a quiet genius to it that even a lot of First Aid Kit fans are missing. As for “The Body Electric,” I thought it was much more of a consensus pick from the Americana realm as one of the best songs all year, not just from Hurray For The Riff Raff.

“Here On Earth” may not be the best song of the year, but it ought to be in the discussion. It’s a great song full of pain and doubt that, for a mainstream artist, is the antithesis of anything out today.

On the topic of Eric Paslay’s “She Don’t Love You,” IMO that was the best country song released by an unestablished mainstream artist in years. I was shocked to hear a song of that depth on a mainstream country radio in 2014.

I’m pretty sure you nailed it! My pick would be Lydia Loveless’s Everything’s Gone cause that song just bleeds raw emotion. I couldn’t keep myself away from that record this year ”“ Every track was heartbreakingly good, but Everything’s Gone just grabs you and doesn’t let go.

Sturgill is a close second with Hurray For The Riff Raff right behind that.

As for First Aid Kit, I think Cedar Lane is a stronger track than Waitress Song, but that whole album is wicked so it’s understandable that everyone has a different favorite. Same is the case for Matt Woods, I like Tiny Anchors a little bit more than Liberty Bell but those 2 songs plus Deadman’s Blues were the best on his spectacular album.

“Streets of Aberdeen” without a doubt. There is just so much in that song for a person to think about. An old time serial killer and how his actions are still effecting an area decades into the future, even to the point of intertwining into the life of that areas most famous resident. And the references to Greek mythology and old time folk music. This is a song that I can just sit back and think about for hours at a time. I have sat people down in an attempt to dissect the lyrics to this song, people who hate country music and even they find the storyline fascinating.

Don Williams, is the best out of this list, just because it’s a timeless song, that he covered admirably. Best song off of that Lydia Loveless album is either Chris Issak or Head, but over all a pretty good album. Sturgill can do no wrong in opinion, but that song is no where the best on that album….just my two cents

Ray Benson & Willie Nelson’s “It Ain’t You” is my favorite but it was really hard to choose between that and Don Williams “I’ll Be Here in the Morning.” Matt Woods “With Love from Brushy Mountain” is impressive.

Sturgill has the album of the year in my opinion but for song of the year “I’ll Be Here In the Morning” is about as good as any country song ever written. Don Williams’ performance makes it sound like that song was written especially for him and the fact it was recorded live just nails it for me. Great lyrics and perfect instrumentation make this my easy choice.

2014 has been a great year for some of our legends. I loved the Johnny Cash release although I don’t feel any of the tracks belong on this list. However, I feel that Willie Nelson’s “The Wall” was a strong contender this year. Just want to throw that out there. Good list of nominees. Will be looking forward to seeing the winners.

Bigfoof is Real (full of opinions... and other things)
December 3, 2014 @
11:59 am

My self-aggrandizing ego tells me it is “Turtles All the Way Down”. Great lyrics and Sturgill kinda took a belated next step in the leap that Waylon took back in the day by covering MacAuthur in 1969. The more I listen to Metamodern the more it becomes clear what an amazing throw back to a narrow window of time it is. Kinda feel similarly about First Aid Kit’s “Stay Gold” release too.

Also love the opening line to “Just Let Go”, “Woke up today and decided to kill my ego…” freaking brilliant.

I just can’t see how Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up” or “Elephant” did not make this list. Both were extremely powerful in my opinion. Also Willie Nelson’s ” The Git Go” from Band Of Brothers. Of your picks, I suppose I have to lean on Don Williams.

Isbell’s “Elephant” was a candidate last year. “The Git Go” and “The Wall” from Willie are both very strong tracks. Didn’t think they were Song of the Year caliber, but I wouldn’t argue with anyone who thinks otherwise. That’s a very solid Willie album.

Love American songwriter, but the #1 meant a little less to me when Taylor Swift came in at #4. I do think Taylor deserves some credit as a songwriter, but not that much, and not in this year. But all of these end-of-year lists are easy to second guess.

As much as it’s great to see Sturgill topping all of these lists, I hope it also doesn’t discourage people to dig a little deeper into independent music and see there was some great music there. I’ve been calling it the “Year of the Dark Horse” for this very reason.

Agree and hope so too (dig a little deeper), but they’re certainly digging deeper into Sturgill: High Top Mountain is sitting #35 on the ITunes PURCHASED (not streamed) Country Album (not songs) charts. So not only is MetaModern the must buy album, folks are paying to hear even more of him. Pretty impressive stuff!
Also:
The Album of the Year is sitting happily at #11.

Those list were kind of wanting for me. Especially the TS nod. Lyrically she didn’t break new ground. And damn it the girls still hasn’t gotten a vocal coach and nixed the auto-tune. I know it’s easy to rag on her but as a big as she is, I wish she cared more about the music she put out.

But all the same those lists did give me some new acts to look into. AND I am pleased with the amount of women present.

wow. thank you for mentioning Wanchese and Manteo. Never heard of this song until now. Thats the area that i’m from and know many people in wanchese and have family in manteo. Great to see a song about one of the greatest places, the OBX. again thank you!

Almost half of these i wouldn’t even consider country. Just because something has a small connotation to country music doesn’t mean that it should be up for a country song of the year. Especially Hurray for the Riff Raff. That’s indie music, not country. Im sorry if you don’t agree but you’re wrong. Its not in a matter of opinion, its about the song structure. If this is what is considered country by the people who look beyond the advertised music then things have gotten very bad. I seriously don’t see how you could even give some of these a nomination over releases this year from artists like Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, Jason Eady and many more. Its ok for you to like some of these songs. I don’t mind them. but i sure as hell don’t consider a few of them country and wouldn’t begin to think about posting them on a country news site.

I think this is a fair point. But to say that I am explicitly characterizing these songs as “country” I think is a little misleading. I’m not using any of these songs as definitions of what country is, because that’s not the point of this exercise. Yes, the name of this website is “Saving Country Music,” but when it comes to building this list, I am looking for the best songs regardless of how close or far they may sit from the center of the definition of “country,” as long as they fall under the greater “country” umbrella. The simple fact is many of the most “country” songs don’t fall under the most important requisite of this list, which is to be wholly unique and cause a deep emotional impact. You look at these candidates and you have names like Willie Nelson, Don Williams, and Ray Benson. I’d also point out that with Tami Neilson and First Aid Kit, the included videos were live versions of the songs, and the studio versions could be considered a little more “country.” Both Tami and First Aid Kit have steel guitar in the studio versions.

But overall, I’m a music fan first, and a country fan second, as are most country music fans. So I am going to search far and wide to find the best songs to share. There’s a time an a place to make sure the rigid definitions of what country is are respected, and there’s not a song or artist nominated that I believe doesn’t respect what country is and should be, and isn’t pushing these virtues forward with their music. But I am not looking for the best songs that sound country, I’m looking for the best songs, period.

I see similar concerns every year from people who have different ideas from the list based off of songs they simply enjoy more. But we’re trying to find the height of creative expression here, not just something that is the most enjoyable to listen to. If I was putting a list like that together, I would put Jim Lauderdale’s “I Lost You” at the top, which happens to be very very country.

“But I am not looking for the best songs that sound country, I”™m looking for the best songs, period.”

This is probably exaggerated. I doubt that a jazz, hip-hop, or international song with ground-breaking lyrics would not make the SCM Song of the Year list. The idea here is to look for the best songs that also happen to resemble country in at least some manner.

“…but when it comes to building this list, I am looking for the best songs regardless of how close or far they may sit from the center of the definition of “country,” as long as they fall under the greater “country” umbrella.”

There’s a lot of great material here, I really enjoyed it all, but I gotta go with Sturgill. That song in particular really speaks to me. But the Don Williams song is a close second. Just absolutely beautiful, and the Gentle Giant’s voice just gets smoother with age.

I have to say, I think “Daylight and Dark” needs to be on this list. That or the Chris Knight written “Send It On Down” on Lee Ann Womack’s latest album. Also any number of songs off the latest Stoney Larue album or “Dogwood” off Whiskey Myers album.

I realize it is easy to nit pick these choices, but I was surprised not to see any of those albums represented since I think they really popped off the top of my head for best songs of the year for me.

Amongst that list however, I would say I really love Don Williams “I’ll Be Here In The Morning”, dont get me wrong I think the Sturgill and Hellbound Glory songs are really close to it, but I think in the case of both of those songs you can make the argument they are not even the best song on the albums they came from. To me “I’ll Be Here In The Morning” sets the bar.

One thing I try to be mindful of when making this songs list is not just including a song simply because it’s from a great album or a great artist, but basing it specifically on the merit of a song itself.

Also, there will be an “Essential Albums” list upcoming that will include a lot of the projects people are concerned they aren’t seeing yet. You have to draw a line somewhere, and if you include too many names, it tends to dilute them all. The point of these nominations is to try to fill holes in people’s knowledge of great music from a given year. If you have a different list of names from your top songs, that’s great because that means you don’t need my guidance, aside from hopefully turning you on to some stuff you may have missed.

We’ve got to find Chris’ version of “Send it on Down.” Not that Womack’s version isn’t great, it’s just glossy and piano driven. Hearing it sung by Chris and his guitar ala Trailer Tapes has to be an experience.

Dammit, Trig! You’re killing me! You have all three of my current favorite artists on this list, with some of their best work represented! Sturgill Simpson, Matt Woods, and Leroy Virgil (er, Leon Virgil Bowers, sorry. Old habits die hard…) are the first names I throw out there when I hear someone complaining about the state of Country Music, these days.

It’s so difficult, though, to choose just one single tune! I mean, you have Sturgill, doing this amazing song, that on the surface, seems like some kind of stoner tune that should probably only be played when the listener is indulging in recreational self-medication. Then the lyrics reach out and slap you in the face, and you realize that there’s a powerful message in the song, if you just take time to really listen.

Then, you have Ol’ Leroy, giving a clinic on storytelling through songwriting. I’ve played “Aberdeen” for so many people, and the reaction is almost always a sort of hushed reverence when it ends. Then, they look up at me, often with teary eyes, and say, “Wow. That is beautiful! HOW have I NOT heard of this guy before??”

Then, there’s Matt. You guys know from previous comments on this site, that I am a HUGE fan of Matt Woods. “Liberty Bell” is one of the best examples of how Matt can go to those dark emotional places and punch you in the gut with his lyrics. And seeing him play it live? It’s almost like he DARES you to not feel it when he sings it. “I’m drunk on the wrong side of heaven/In a town that’s gone straight to Hell…” Gets me every time, man…

-Triggerman
thanks for considering my song streets of aberdeen. Along with the studio version you have up, could you please post this version i recorded in my bathroom on halloween of 2013. Both versions have different meanings and I consider one to be the last HBG song and the other to be my first solo song. My vote goes for my song but I also like the turtles song a lot to. take care fokes.

Being a kentucky boy im a huge sturgill fan. My favorite track of the year was “long white line”, but turtles had the originality to it. But the song of the year for me has to be “ill be here in the morning.” Don Williams took this classic Townes song and made it his own.

Great list, every song and lyric hit people differently. For me Joseph Huber”˜s “Broken Paddles” Jason Eady “Daylight and Dark” Lee Ann Womack “Send It On Down” Luke Bell “Loretta” are some of the standouts this past year.

Great list of songs. I really like all of them, except the ridiculous “The Body Electric”.

My vote goes to Lydia Loveless’s “Everything’s Gone”. Very powerful and relevant lyric, especially in today’s era of foreclosures, eminent domain, and gentrification. When I realized what she was singing about, I was all shivers. About the only line I would object to is the one about burning down the rich man’s house.

My choices after that would be Hellbound Glory’s “Streets of Aberdeen” and Willie Nelson/Ray Benson’s “It Ain’t You”. The storytelling skill that Leroy shows in “Aberdeen” is simply unmatched, and “It Ain’t You” describes the feelings behind aging better than probably any song I have heard before.

Great list!
While it’s easy to get a group of people to agree that an album is good (or not), songs or singles are a bit more personal – so tastes vary. For me at 38 years old, I believed I’ve heard it all before rehashed in one form or another till I heard Otis Gibbs’ “Gun in My Hand.” I went back recently to your review of ‘Souviners’ and wrote why that song is so personal to me. So, hands down my song if the year. But I understand its lack of mass appeal.
I’d also have to give shout-outs to Bob Wayne’s “20 Miles to Juarez,” Scott H. Biram’s “Nam Weed” and Lee Ann Womack’s “Send it on Down” (a Chris Knight co-write).

I just happily discovered this site recently, and I must say that you have impeccable taste in music. Just found out about Matt Woods and Tami Neilson here today – wow! Looks like I’ll be spending lots more time here catching up on all the great stuff I’ve been missing out on.
P.S. I’m a big fan of Chris Knight, Lindi Ortega, Kasey Chambers, Dale Watson, and Raul Malo, among many others.

“July In Cheyenne” is an excellent song, but it was released in 2013 so it wouldn’t qualify for this list. Really looking forward to Watson’s upcoming album.

A lot of people see a site named “Saving Country Music” and want it to be something that it just isn’t. I am a one man operation, and no matter what I do, I won’t be able to please everyone. So instead of trying to, I just try to be as brutally honest about my opinions as possible, and do what I can to find artists that people have NOT heard about and try to introduce them to something new that they might like.

First, let me say I’m a huge Don Williams fan, and normally I would give him the nod for #1 any day. His rendition, of what was arguably Townes’ best song, is as timeless as the original. That song was made for Don it seems.

With that said, Turtles has to be #1. I think it’s the type of song we wished came out annually to give these lesser known artists some recognition. Look at how far this record, and probably this song in general, have sky rocketed Sturgill. We don’t get many tunes like this, with the originality, and lyrical content that end up being played on The Tonight Show…especially in the genre we are all here for.

As big a fan of Sturgill as I am, hands down this has to be Don Williams with “I’ll be Here In the Morning.” He absolutely nailed a timeless country classic with the best voice in country right now.
As for Sturgill, I’d take “Voices”, “Livin the Dream”, or the Just Let Go/It Ain’t All Flowers combo over Turtles.

Leroy Virgil’s “Streets of Aberdeen” after hearing it just once, for me was an instant American Classic. A great story about 2 legendary Aberdeen citizens, Serial killer Billy Gohl (Check out the story on Wikipedia) and Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain. Coincidentally, the recording studio where “Streets of Aberdeen” was recorded in Aberdeen, WA is located in the former sailor”™s union building where Gohl killed his victims. Most of the scenes in the video for “Streets of Aberdeen” were shot there also.
Last Chorus
“If we all die tomorrow, Send us out to sea, Don”™t let a song Come back in harmony,
And all hollows eve, Set the lost souls free, Shine a red light On the ones who don”™t believe.
Out on the harbor sirens sing, Goodnight Irene, I”™ll see you in my dreams, Those found wanting, Will be drawn beneath, To end up as ghosts,Who haunt the streets of Aberdeen”
Just a truly great song that tells a great story. Other good songs on this list also, but this is truly a classic that deserves much more attention.

I’m an online DJ from Ireland and I love reading your stuff Trigger. Your website is one of the many invaluable tools people like myself, who are far away from the action, get to use to hear about new artists and new music. I always love reading your reviews and your list for top songs is really interesting although I’d like to see Down In The Mud by Brandon Jenkins, Ghosts Of Our Fathers by Otis Gibbs, Between The Lines by Matt Andersen. Honourable mentions to JP Harris, Jason Eady, Matt Woods and John Fullbright. Some truly fantastic music released this year and I’ve loved every note! Keep the stories coming Trigger. BJ Tombstone, The Graveyard Shift.

I gotta say…I am a little disappointed that you did not list “Hard To Be An Outlaw” by Billy Joe Shaver and Willie Nelson. If there is one song that accurately describes the mainstream country scene today, that would be the song.

A protest song is just not something that I see as falling into the spirit of what the Song of the Year is all about in my mind. Not to say there couldn’t be an element of protest in there like with Sturgill Simpson’s “Life Ain’t Fair & The World Is Mean,” but it would have to take a song that says so much more at the same time. In my opinion, protest songs in country have become the most cliche thing that can be released, even more cliche than Bro-Country. I get about three or four of them sent to me a week, and they all sound the same, and all the authors are peacock proud to be sending them to me as if it guarantees them coverage on the site, and when I don’t cover it, they take to Facebook to call me an asshole and say I really don’t care about saving country music. “Hard To Be An Outlaw” is a bit better than this fare, if only because it’s two true Outlaws singing it, giving the song more meaning. I like the song and gave it a positive review, but it really comes down to the words, and there are some throw away lines there.

Also as a song that speaks to a moment in time, “There’s No Country Here” should win some kind of social statement award. Really country music has a LONG tradition of slamming it’s own genre. And this is a GREAT addition to that tradition.

Sturgill Simpson, undisputed, with a respectful nod to Don Williams. No other artist has challenged the perception that country music is either dead or a farce than Sturgill. And no other song this year has defined as well what he has come to show us.